Category Archives: Sabah News

How much have we achieved in the 46 years? We remain East and West, we remain Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Dayak, Kadazan. Are we one? Or are we just talk?’

For better or for worse, Happy Birthday Malaysia

Brij Jayaram Kathiravelu: Sabahans and Sawarakians best epitomise the very values we wish all Malaysians would. I feel sorry to read all the negative headlines from Borneo. They are laden with numerous issues including illegal immigrants, poverty and indigenous polarisation.

The BN federal government owes it to the East Malaysians to address all these issues as its very survival depends on East Malaysians. East Malaysians, please pressure your politicians to address all issues pertaining to your states. Selamat Hari Malaysia!

Lim Chong Leong: The divide-and-rule policy of the great BN … only to keep themselves in power and milk its citizens dry. How much have we achieved in the 46 years? We remain East and West, we remain Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Dayak, Kadazan. Are we one? Or are we just talk?

Kgen: Sabah is boiling, Sarawak is dissatisfied. Will they still vote obediently as BN’s fixed deposit of parliamentary seats? Now that there is an alternative, will they give Pakatan a chance or stick with the devil they know? You deserve the government you vote for.

Badrul Omar: 1Malaysia? Why do West Malaysians still need to pass through immigration when visiting Sabah or Sarawak and produce their MyKads or passports? Aren’t we in the same country?

Satria Asia: I’ve been to the other side of the South China Sea only once and that was so long ago. Speaking casually to some of the folks, I did feel some animosity towards the ‘west’ and wondered when some attempt at independence was going to take place.

But I guess for Sabah and Sarawak, joining Malaysia was a choice between two evils. Fortunately or unfortunately, they chose Malaya.

Gk: This article is a ‘wake-up’ call for BN government to be more ‘inclusive’. Malaysia Day should be the National Day, not Merdeka Day on Aug 31. Let’s celebrate Malaysia Day from now on.

Borneoman: I fully subscribe to the same view. Similarly the situation in Sarawak is exactly the same as Sabah. Many East Malaysians would agree that we were better off under the British than the “Malay” government.

At least under the British we had the best education in the region, an efficient mixed race civil service and an independent judiciary. And there never were any race or religious problems. So pray tell us why are we treated like second-class citizens? That’s why there is a general lack of interest to celebrate Merdeka Day here.

Gen2: Sabah is the poorest state despite its rich resources because its own leaders took care of themselves and their own pockets first rather than the rakyat. Don’t be too proud of your interracial tolerance because it won’t last long under the current BN government.

Citizen: Malaysia ‘truly Asia’ is found in Sabah not in West Malaysia. Years of racial politics have taken its toll, for West Malaysia too was like Sabah when I was young in the yesteryears. I hope Sabah will not fall into the same trap of racial and religious intolerance, now that race-based parties have entered Sabah.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has described the spirit of unity and harmony among the people of Sabah and Sarawak as a vibrant example of 1Malaysia.

He said that there were many examples in both states of how Malaysians of different racial, religious and ethnic roots “can come together around the many things that unite us, instead of allowing the few things that divide us to drive us apart.”

“The story of Sabah and Sarawak is the story of 1Malaysia, and has informed and inspired my commitment to this concept.

“They are a testament to the fact that our differences unite this country,” Najib said in his personal statement in conjunction with Malaysia Day today to commemorate the formation of Malaysia in 1963 by Sabah, Sarawak and the then Malaya.

Citing the Gawai celebrations in longhouses in Sarawak as an example, the prime minister said, he could not help but think that the people of Sarawak had already adopted the values of 1Malaysia “long before I explained its various elements.”

He said that this scenario had driven his commitment, and that he believed that it had an important and lasting impact on Malaysia’s development.

“Malaysians of any race or creed need simply look to Sabah and Sarawak to gain an understanding of the incredibly strong and harmonious unity that can be found in accepting and respecting the diversity of our nation,” he said.

On Sabah, he said, what impressed him the most was the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit among the people in their development of a thriving ecotourism industry, turning Sabah into a significant contributor to the nation’s economy.

He acknowledged however that the economic progress in the two states was being hampered by inadequate transportation networks, underfunded schools and insufficient provision of services.

That was why he extended federal government grants to local authorities in Sabah and Sarawak, he said.

Najib also said that it was important for the government to provide the same opportunities to all and improve the lives of Malaysians regardless of race, religion “or the corner of Malaysia that they choose to call home.”

“In the end, whether we live in a remote longhouse or a high-rise in Kuala Lumpur, we are all Malaysians and we are all part of the 1Malaysia that we love,” he said.

In his blog http://www.1malaysia.com.my, Najib also recalls the time when his father Tun Abdul Razak witnessed the historic proclamation of Sabah’s independence in 1963.

Najib said he was 10 at that time “but I remember how proud he was during that momentous occasion. Sabah and Sarawak occupy a special place in my heart because of that history.”

He added that much of the country’s cultural heritage was tied to the icons of life in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Longhouses are as much a mainstay of life there as they are a symbol for our need as Malaysians to learn to live under one roof and to build up our national house together.

“When the sun rises over Malaysia, it shines first on Sabah and Sarawak. Our future as a country depends on our ability to work and live together,” the prime minister said.

KOTA KINABALU: A few years ago, the idea of a submarine housed in this state of Sabah, the northern part of Borneo Island, would have been just a dream.

But come Sept 17, that dream would turn into a reality as the nation’s first submarine, after crossing the South China Sea, will dock at its permanent berth at the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) base in Sepanggar Bay, the second largest after the Lumut base in Perak.

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I refer New Sabah Times news dated 14 Sept 2009. I dont see any assurance that this 3.4 billion sub will stop the infuxing illigal immigrant to Sabah waters. Unless this is yet proven, no use for Malaysia to buy such an expensive submarine where as this $$$ could be used on Sabah’s main road repair & construction especially for the interior road.

Sabah still needs extra RM10b for new roads

15th September, 2009RANAU: Sabah is still in need of an additional RM10 billion to upgrade and construct new roads, said Rural Development Minister, Datuk Ewon Ebin.He said although the federal government had approved RM4 billion for road construction and repairs in Sabah and Sarawak, the amount is far from sufficient.

“This is still not enough to meet the demand”, he said while acknowledging however that both the state and federal governments are committed in wanting to meet the people’s needs.

Speaking during a meeting with villagers of Kg Mansalu and Kg Tundagon here yesterday, Ewon stressed the need for better roads in the state for they form the basic channel for other types of development to be distributed particularly in the rural areas.

Also present were Ranau MP Datuk Siringan Gubat, Kundasang assemblyman Dr Joachim Gunsalam as well as state and federal government officers.

New Sabah Times dont simply publish a ‘feel good channel’ news for the people of Sabah.

Sipitang: Former Sabah Director of the Government Printing Department, Charles Ayub Tabed (pic), passed away at the age of 58 at his hometown early Sunday.

He is survived by his wife Anna Sali and five children.

He was also a former State footballer and one of the four Lundayeh boys selected to represent Sabah in the Burnly Cup and Borneo Cup in 1971 and 1972.

Tabed was responsible for setting up a body to take care of the welfare of people from villages in Tenom and Sipitang when they visited sick family members at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Later, he helped form the famous Dayeh United Football and Hockey Clubs.

He was responsible for drafting the constitution of the Persatuan Lundayeh Sabah and later became its first secretary-general and eventually elected as one of its presidents.

In honour of his dedication and commitment to his job, Tabed was awarded the ADK in 2000 and ASDK in 2007 by Head of State Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah.

Membakut : In conjunction with the on-going Election Commission (EC) re-delineation exercise of state constituency in Sabah, UPKO Kimanis Division chief Mr. Tailin Mainan suggest that Barisan Nasional especially UMNO should give chance to its Kadazandusun Murut based party counterpart to represent their own community in all constituency. This is inline with the principal of power sharing concept which upheld by all of Barisan Nasional component party. He was speaking during Kimanis UPKO divisional meeting recently in Membakut.

Mr. Tailin reiterate that some UMNO members should stop making claims for KDM seats especially through the mass media.

“What is happening in Kota Marudu and Keningau is disheartening. Making claims on KDM majority seats and asking a Barisan Nasional component deputy president to give up his seat is ridiculous. Who give them authority to dictate other component party? ”

He urges all UPKO members to stay calm and don’t react to such baseless claims made by some UMNO members.

“After all UMNO have dominated more than 55% of seats in Sabah apart from contesting all bumiputera seats in West Malaysia. UPKO never argue this.” Tailin also noted that former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had declared UPKO as the only party that represented the KDM race during the UPKO Congress in 2003.

He believe that under the new leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib who is also the Barisan Nasional Chairman, will be fair and understand the needs of minority component party in Barisan Nasional.

Tailin, who is also UPKO supreme council member, reminded that UPKO, all these while, fighting for the KDM cause in education, language, citizenship and other matters.

“KDM community numbers are less than one million in whole entire world. We cannot determine the rules of the game because we are too few and mostly will be dictate by Malay majority “We just want to make sure that the minority are well represented and respected in the country” he stressed.

Also present during the meeting were Kimanis UPKO Deputy Chief, Gundohing Godfrey Daya, all division members as well as Kimanis UPKO wing leaders Wilfred Stephen and Cecilia Ondoi.